‘Perfect group’ combines for Players’ ‘Horrors’

PEORIA — One of the main characters in “Little Shop of Horrors” is a carnivorous plant named Audrey II. She’s animated by puppeteers and given a voice by an actor positioned backstage.

Since Audrey II grows during the course of the play, four different versions are needed. Made from wood, metal, fabric, paper mache and goodness knows what else, the “plants” were rented from a business in Huntley for Peoria Players’ upcoming show Aug. 6 through 10.

“The last plant was so big they had a hard time getting it into the cargo doors of the theater,” said director Megan Cipolla during a recent telephone interview. “It’s big enough to eat people.”

This will be the second time Cipolla has directed “Little Shop of Horrors.”

“It’s been one of my favorite shows since I was little,” she said.

One of Peoria Players’ annual youth shows, the cast ranges in age from 14 to 21, said Cipolla.

“It’s meant to be a funny show, and a lot of times it’s done pretty straight, but I was able to find the perfect group of kids to do comedy,” said Cipolla. Wes Hunt is playing the lead male, Seymour, and Emma Lutrell is playing his love interest, Audrey. David Brown will provide the voice of Audrey II.

“Seymour is a nerdy florist, an orphan who has no one except this girl he works with that he loves,” said Cipolla. “He’s poor and down on his luck but one day he finds this mysterious plant which he takes to the shop.” Things start to look up for Seymour when the odd plant draws in more business — everyone want to see it because it just grows and grows.

“What they don’t know is why the plant grows so big — it feeds on blood,” said Cipolla. “Seymour has been feeding it on his blood.”

Eventually the plant gets so big Seymour can no longer satiate its voracious appetite in an ethical manner.

“It convinces Seymour to start killing people,” said Cipolla.

The dark plot, juxtaposed with comedy and singing, makes for a rollicking show that pokes fun at the horror movie genre, said Cipolla.

“It’s unlike any show that’s out there,” she said. “It’s funny, a little bit creepy, and the music is really good.”

If you go

>> What: Peoria Players Theatre presents “Little Shop of Horrors.”

>> When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6, 7, 8 and 9, and 2 p.m. Aug. 10.

>> Where: Peoria Players Theatre, 4300 N. University St., Peoria.

>> Tickets: $18 for adults, and $12 for children under 18, and are available at the Peoria Players box office, online at www.peoriaplayers.org, or by calling 688-4473.

Leslie Renken can be reached at 686-3250 or lrenken@pjstar.com. Follow her on Twitter, @LeslieRenken, and subscribe to her on Facebook.com/leslie.renken.